Ozella Denton Dugger

Ozella Denton Dugger, 94, died Monday, August 10, 2026, at Brookdale Assisted Living.

Funeral services will be conducted Friday, August 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Friendship Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

Ozella was born December 24, 1931, in Culleoka, Tennessee, to the late Earl Thomas Denton and Esther Martin Denton. She graduated from Culleoka High School in 1950. During her years at Culleoka High School, she was a four-year member of the basketball team. She was elected FFA Queen and Culleoka Queen and was honored as the runner up in the Miss Maury County Beauty Pageant in 1950. She also served as an attendant in the 1949 Mule Day Pageant. In her later years, she found great joy in two-step dancing and listening to country music.

Ozella was a devoted homemaker, lifelong resident of Culleoka and a longtime member of Culleoka Church of Christ. She was married to William Lindsay Dugger from August 12, 1951 until his death on August 8, 1990.

She never met a stranger and proudly told everyone she was from the “big city” of Culleoka. Many affectionately referred to her as the “Queen of Culleoka” as well as “Tootsie”. She especially enjoyed spending time with friends, visiting and sharing stories at the Culleoka Store, where her warm smile and friendly conversation made everyone feel welcome. She lived a long and meaningful life and will be remembered for her love of family, her kindness and the many lives she touched throughout the years.

Survivors include her children, Molly Silvers (Scott Belew) of Summertown, Tony Dugger (Lisa) of Milton and Troy Dugger (Tammy) of Centerville; she was lovingly called “Granny” by her seven grandchildren, Ali Buchanan, Maggie Silvers, Lewis Silvers, Tyler Dugger, Taylor Dugger, Lindsay Dugger Davis, and Samuel Dugger; she was great grandmother to nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Thelma Tallent and Earlene Smith; a brother, Ralph Denton; and a special friend, Frank Jones.

Pallbearers will be Lewis Silvers, Taylor Dugger, Tyler Dugger, Sam Dugger, Frankie Dee Harwell, and Jimmy Burton. Honorary pallbearers will be Anne Burton Davis, Anne Haskins, Kathi Stofel, Patti Harris, Mya McDonald and her Brookdale caregivers.

Memorials may be made to Friendship Cemetery c/o Mike Jett 2856 Culleoka Highway Culleoka, TN 38451 or the American Cancer Society at American Cancer Society.

The family would like to express a heartfelt gratitude to her caregivers at Brookdale for their compassionate care, kindness, and friendship and their love for Ozella. They also extend sincere thanks to Gentiva Hospice caregivers. Their care and compassion will always be remembered and deeply appreciated.

Online condolences may be extended at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.